About Me

I have two passions in my life. My family, and my photography. I will leave it up to you to decide their order of importance. I can only say that my life would be incomplete without all both of them. Obviously there is more to me but these are the two things that occupy my conscience being at any given moment.

I retired February 07, 2018 from Ohnward Bancshares, Inc. as the Chief HR Officer after an 18 year career with that wonderful organization. Prior to that I spent many years in HR Consulting and Insurance work.

My family is the wonderful woman I married 42 years ago. She is my best friend, life partner, and I love her dearly. My daughter who is a Trauma Nurse and building a great life with a wonderful man. They have blessed us with0 4 young grand children. My son is now in sales after graduating from college and has become phonemically successful in that career.

I love them all deeply and I am so proud of my children!

My photography, which has been a significant part of my life since my parents (who were very poor) first helped me buy (I had a paper route at 9) a Brownie 127 film camera. In 1977 I bought my first 35mm SLR film camera and shot hundreds of rolls of 35 mm film. In 2000 I bought my first digital camera a whopping 1.3 mp camera and it unlocked a firestorm in me that wanted to create images and capture memories. Today I have five Nikon DSLRs and yes it is way more equipment then I need but I am truly happiest when I have a camera in my hand and up to my eye. So if it is more than I need then I am guilty of being selfish but hopefully the images I capture will bring the same level of enjoyment to others that they provide for me.

For the last ten years in particular I have read books, taken on-line classes and studied hard to understand the art of photography. I smile inwardly when someone pays me the highest compliment that I have” a gifted eye for photography” because I now know the work and diligence that has gone into that. I probably will get this quote wrong but it goes something like “ability is when loads of practice and opportunity come together.” I know that’s not right but you get the meaning that is intended.

I am in the process of starting a corporate photography business called “Have Studio Will Travel.” I have a full complement of studio strobes, modifiers, and backdrops. I think there is a huge need for professional head shots, corporate marketing, and product photography.

The photo above. Well it symbolizes my philosophy of eating dessert first. This image was taken with a Nikon D90 camera (which I have since sold to a good friend and fellow photography enthusiast) by Krista Grant who was a friend and one of my bosses. There is another saying which, has become one of my favorites. “Yesterday is past, tomorrow is a mystery and today is gift, that is why it is called the present.” “Life is short so eat dessert first.” Krista’s life ended all too short and she worked way too many hours. So eat dessert first and enjoy life my friends because you probably won’t get a second chance.

Dave: just found your great Blog and Andreas Blog. Both have great content and photos. I am from Le Claire and would like to join you to shoot around the Green Island area sometime.
I shoot Eagles almost every day during dec, jan, and feb at LD14 and welcome you to join me.

Hi, I would like to purchase one of your pictures! I have a brick from when lightning struck the tower down town and realized that I never framed it. Every time I look at the brick I think of your awesome picture of the tower. I would love to add it to my photography wall! Let me know, thanks so much.

I just wanted to say how sorry I am about the loss of your dog, Maggie. I have two cats who are getting “up” there in age and know their time here is limited …. How were you able to cope if I can ask ?? Nice blog too !! I enjoy reading it …

Hi Jonny. Thank you for your sympathy and your complement. It is always difficult to lose a loved one, be it a friend or pet. There is a void in your life that only time can heal. I miss little Maggie as she was my little friend that always had a warm and happy greeting for me when I came home.

No way to replace that. Enjoy your cats each day you have them and realize that the end of the journey comes to us all. I wish you well.

Hello Dave, my name is Pam True, Office Manager for the Jackson County Conservation/Hurstville Interpretive Center. The Director, Daryl Parker is retiring from Conservation as of 12/31/19 and his wife would like to present him an aerial photo of the Hurstville Interpretive Center for a retirement/Christmas gift. I was told that you may have some aerial photos from a public program that was held out here at the Center. If that is so would it be possible to get a copy of that photo?